Florida State Wide
CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
Staff Explain Minimum Flows and Levels Process for Lakes in the District
Minimum flows and levels (MFLs) are set to protect our natural resources and provide water to the public. But have you ever wondered how the District sets MFLs for a lake? District staff explain the process for Lake Allen in Hillsborough County. Watch this video.
Giant Cone Ginger Flower Photo by TomL
Dear Friends,
It is a great day to be an American! Every day that we wake up in this country is a blessing and we are so fortunate to be living in this place, surrounded by so much opportunity. Opportunities to raise a family, build a business, or serve the community are all around us if we would just be willing to apply ourselves in pursuit of it. It was encouraging to see that we still have many willing people to answer that call during this first portion the 2020 election season. Not just those that were ready to campaign for public office, but all those people who knocked on doors, made phone calls and showed up at the polls to participate in our elections process.
Statewide, voter turnout was slightly higher than either 2018 or 2016 and that is very encouraging. Still, these numbers show that only about 1 in 4 registered voters showed up and even fewer than that made it all the way through their entire ballot. The good news is, a few people made a really big difference! Those that did not participate do not have a voice, but you did and your voice was amplified because of their apathy. Thank you for your dedication and commitment in being engaged in your government.
With the 2020 primaries behind us, it is critical that we set aside the differences we may have had and support candidates who will advance conservative principles and help get President Trump re-elected. Those candidates may not have been our first choice, and we might not agree on one-hundred percent of the issues, but now is the not the time for divisiveness. The liberal socialist machine will run us over if we are still fighting amongst ourselves. Let us unite behind these good candidates and defeat socialism is 2020!
It is an honor to serve and sit in your seat in the Florida Senate. Thank you for letting me be your voice in Tallahassee.
Onward & Upward,
Dennis Baxley
Seagrass Waterfront Restaurant
10386 W Hall River Road
Homosassa, FL 34448
352-503-2007
Beautiful setting on the river with three seating areas, climate controlled indoor, outdoor deck covered screened room and open air deck of the river. Practicing Covid-19 standards, temperature taken from all patrons, observing social distancing, with table and seating disinfecting after customer departure.
Upon arriving our party of eleven, was seated during two for one drink specials of beer, wine and cocktails, a great start to our dinner adventure!
Wide assortment of appetizers from calamari, loaded potato skins, wings, fried green beans, flat breads, crab bites and beef empanadas. Apps are perfect snack or to share while watching the boats on the river or docking to eat.
Light entrees or lunch favorites consists of hamburgers, chicken or fish burgers, Shrimp PoBoy, BBQ Pork, ham and cheese sandwiches. Must try their home made potato chips!
A well devised menu for everyone’s discriminating taste. I recommend having a dinner salad, generous for two to share (I didn’t). It consists of fresh lettuce mixed with romaine, sliced cucumbers, the freshest diced tomatoes and choice of dressings. Continue reading
“A Hero in World War II”
Carl was the youngest of twelve (12) children in his family. When Carl was eight years old the family still had a total of seven children, Carl being the youngest. The family moved to Waterloo, Iowa. Carl became an excellent athletic in both football and baseball in school. Carl Letney called Buck left his high school in his senior year to join the Army. He was trained to be an Assault Ranger and was sent to the Battle of the Rapido River where he fought for two days trying to cross the Rapido River (north of Naples, Italy) and reach the winter line. Buck Letney lost his life on the second day of fighting on the Rapido River. No gains had been made in the capture of the Rapido or Gari Rivers and they became one of the big defeats suffered by the US Army in World War II. The AMVETS Post 31 was dedicated to Carl’s memory and it is in Evansdale Iowa a small suburb of Waterloo where his statue and monument stands. Carls brother Jerry lives in the Villages.
OCALA, Fla.—The Florida Department of Health in Marion County wants Micanopy area residents to be aware that a bat in their area has tested positive for rabies. People who live or work in the area should maintain a heightened awareness that rabies is active in the area.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
– Avoid all contact with wildlife, particularly raccoons, bats, foxes, skunks, otters, bobcats and coyotes. Never adopt wild animals or bring them into your home.
Never handle unfamiliar animals (wild or domestic), even if they appear friendly.
– Do not feed or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or trash.
– Keep rabies vaccinations up to date for all pets.
– Keep pets under direct supervision so they do not come into contact with wild animals.
– Prevent bats from entering living quarters or occupied spaces in homes, churches, schools, and other similar areas where they might encounter people and pets. Continue reading
The Florida Department of Health in Marion County is involved in several key aspects of COVID-19 response. Primarily, the department is focused on:
Testing
Protecting the elderly and vulnerable
Preparing for medical surge
Educating the public on ways to prevent the spread of the virus
DOH-Marion tests for COVID-19 throughout the week, primarily on-site at the department’s Ocala office. DOH-Marion staff also perform case investigations when someone tests positive for the virus. During the investigations, staff identify and speak with contacts of people who tested positive (contact tracing) so that those individuals can watch for symptoms and get tested as needed. This also ensures that both contacts and people who test positive can take extra precautions to prevent the possible spread of the illness further.
For the latest information on COVID-19 in Florida, visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/.
You can be tested for COVID-19 at various places within Marion County: Continue reading
The first African American to receive the Medal of Honor in the Civil War. Despite the fact that he had been shot many times he would not let the American Flag touch the ground. A true American, what would he say if he was still alive?
Biography
William Harvey Carney was born as a slave in Norfolk, Virginia, on February 29, 1840. How he made his way to freedom is not certain. According to most accounts, he escaped through the Underground Railroad, and joined his father in Massachusetts. Other members of their family were freed by purchase or by the death of their master.
Civil War
Carney joined the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in March 1863 as a sergeant. He took part in the July 18, 1863, assault on Fort Wagner in Charleston, South Carolina. His actions there ultimately earned him the Medal of Honor. When the color guard was killed, Carney retrieved the U.S. flag and marched forward with it, despite serious wounds. When the Union troops were forced to retreat under fire, he struggled back across the battlefield, eventually returning to his own lines and turning over the colors to another survivor of the 54th, saying, “Boys, I only did my duty; the old flag never touched the ground!” He received an honorable discharge due to disability from his wounds in June 1864.
Dear Friends,
Another election season is almost here and your involvement is critical. It seems that we say that every election year and it is just as true today as it ever was. The socialist left is trying to tear down American culture and values. Things that once were the bedrock of our society are shouted down as evil or outdated. Things like, faith, family, freedom, opportunity and life itself are all under attack by a mob that seeks to reshape our country into a CHAZ, (Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone – Seattle, Washington) where lawlessness, degradation and oppression are celebrated instead. We cannot let them win and we cannot sit at home in 2020.
The COVID situation has caused quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election. Talks of moving elections to an all-mail-in-ballot system have concerned many people that the other side may be trying to cheat. In Florida in 2018, we saw that two inept Supervisor of Elections in Broward and Palm Beach counties almost throw an entire gubernatorial election because of their incompetence. That following year the Florida Legislature investigated and made a number of changes to ensure that our election process remain safe and secure. As Chair of the Committee on Ethics and Elections in the Florida Senate, your Senator is committed to making sure that it is easy to vote, and very hard to cheat. Continue reading
On July 10, 2020, in News Releases, by Staff
$8.6 million investment will protect air quality and expand state’s charging stations by 50 percent along most traveled corridors
Orlando, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced $8.6 million in funding to strengthen Florida’s electric vehicle infrastructure. This investment marks another step in the state’s efforts to provide accessible electric vehicle infrastructure while also protecting air quality and expanding the state’s charging stations by 50 percent along most traveled corridors.
“This long-term investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure is a win for our state on multiple levels,” said Governor DeSantis. “Not only will these charging stations promote reduced emissions and better air quality, they will also improve mobility and safety for the ever-increasing number of Floridians that drive electric cars. I look forward to building on this investment and continuing our work to improve Florida’s environment and transportation infrastructure.” Continue reading
